Summary of Internationalization Town Hall Meetings, Spring 2012
Completed to date - Laramie, Cheyenne, Casper, Gillette
(Still to be conducted - Jackson Hole)
University of Wyoming ACE Internationalization Lab Project
1. UW could look at improved processes for information sharing with the state’s
community colleges and local communities, so that people around the state would
have better awareness of events.
a. This would involve examining how persons get their information (e.g.,
social media, newspapers, etc.)
b. One angle to be explored is facilitating communication between
community colleges so that they can coordinate travel to Laramie events,
or co-sponsoring UW events at their campuses.
c. Some participants stated that it might be helpful if there were a website for
students to post photos and statements about their experiences, or where
study abroad students could blog. Likewise, this could be a forum for
international students to discuss their impressions of Wyoming. This could
also be a forum for promoting Friendship Families and similar programs
that pair up international students and local families.
d. If social media sites were developed and organized well, they could
become a means to connect UW faculty who are interested in a specific
area.
e. International Programs could host brown-bag lunches on the Laramie
campus, or out in the state, to provide a forum for travelers to talk about
their international experiences.
f. Relationships with K-12 school systems may be a means of getting
international students into their classrooms to let them share their culture,
including cooking, dancing, and music. In particular, this could be
important with K-12 foreign language teachers. HS students could visit the
Cheney Center, language students and faculty at UW, and international
students.
2. UW could look at how to bring more events to communities outside of Laramie.
a. For example, UW international students and students who have gone
abroad could go out to community colleges to connect with their
international students, have panel sessions about what students can expect
when they go abroad, or lead cultural events.
b. Through videoconferencing, streaming video, and other means, UW
events in Laramie could be made available to people across the state.
3. A number of participants at town hall meetings expressed concern about the USP
‘G’ requirement and how the learning goals associated with it can continue to be
embedded in the curriculum.
4. Several persons expressed interest in UW developing partnerships in specific
regions. Individuals made the case for pursuing additional collaborations in
Africa, or with Israeli institutions. The geographical distribution of UW’s
Strategic Partnerships was an area of interest. Participants often noted that there is
a good degree of geographic distribution, but occasionally noted gaps.
5. Several participants expressed interest in the degree of support offered to
international students. Questions were raised about the effectiveness of UW’s
English language support for students. One suggestion is that UW offer a
‘Foundation’ term for international students prior to their actual admission and
relocation to the state, perhaps through an online system. This ‘course’ could also
cover informal and logistical issues, such as transportation, local health programs
they can access, laundry, and how larger markets in Denver have foods and other
items from home cultures that can help ease their transition. International students
could be directed to the Laramie HS Driver’s Ed program for assistance (though
there may be insurance and other concerns to navigate).
6. Returning study abroad students are a valuable resource for the institution, but
also it could be useful to take steps to ensure effective learning by them.
a. UW could explore creating a credit-bearing course for returning study
abroad students, perhaps all of them or simply those who received Cheney
funds, that would assign UW students to incoming international students,
documenting or reflecting on their interactions and what they learn from
assisting international students with their transition to UW and Wyoming.
b. Students who have returned from study abroad, especially those at the
master’s level, could serve as ‘peer advisors’ for IPO. They could then
help prepare students for study abroad and assist international students
arriving at UW. This could be done through a competitive application
process.
c. IPO could put together an “expertise bank” of students returning from
study abroad, as well as including faculty and knowledgeable community
members in that bank.
7. Several colleagues who work at community colleges expressed interest in
deepening the CC-UW partnership, especially in international programs.
a. UW could explore expanding its MOU’s with partner institutions so that
community college faculty and students could participate in exchanges
and study abroad opportunities.
b. UW’s IPO has a depth of expertise that the state’s community colleges
understandably cannot match. IPO could explore ways to share this
knowledge and thus help the state’s community colleges more effectively
use their resources.
8. A common theme was the economic dimension of UW’s international efforts.
a. There is a need to educate employers about the value of study abroad for
their employees (or perhaps future employees). IPO could participate in
panels at forums such as the Wyoming Workforce Summit to promote
this.
b. UW could explore how to support Wyoming businesses that are interested
in exporting and engaging in international markets.
c. It would be good to show members of the state government the benefits of
study abroad, and faculty and student exchanges.
9. Another theme, although this one was less frequent, concerned the level of
resources available to IPO.
a. Several persons stated that it would be helpful if students pursuing study
abroad could receive larger scholarships.
b. It would also be helpful if IPO had a full-time grants person.